Camilla to open cancer support centre in Aberdeen

The Duchess of Cornwall will open the cancer support centre. Picture: Getty

Camilla and Queen Sonja opened a similar centre in Oslo last year and will meet again in Aberdeen to open the Maggie’s Elizabeth Montgomerie Building.

Known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, Camilla has been president of the cancer charity since 2008 and has visited many of its 17 centres around the world.

The royal pair will tour the new building, which they first saw plans for during their meeting in Oslo, and break a Kransekake, a Norwegian celebration cake, to mark the opening.

Fundraising

The new centre in the grounds of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was funded by the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, set up by golfer Colin Montgomerie in memory of his mother, who died of cancer in 1991.

The Queen and Duchess will meet the former European Ryder Cup captain during the visit and hear about his fundraising with Maggie’s. They will also meet staff, supporters and some of those who have benefited from the charity’s work.

Two girls whose families have been affected by cancer have been chosen as flower girls to present bouquets to the Duchess and the Queen.

Last year, the Duchess attended a reception in Aberdeen to meet supporters of the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal, which raised £3 million to build the new centre.

Earlier this month, Mr Montgomerie said: “I am hugely honoured to see Maggie’s Aberdeen at the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building almost ready to welcome patients and their families who need the unique support only Maggie’s offers.

Support

“I feel immensely proud to have my mum’s name attached to such an incredible building.

“The opening of the centre will be a very special day for myself and my family, and I want to thank everyone involved in making this dream a reality.”

The fundraising campaign was one of the fastest in Maggie’s history, with the target met inside three years.

The charity said once the Aberdeen unit is up and running all of the major NHS cancer centres in Scotland will have a Maggie’s centre on site.

The centres are said to be welcoming and informal places where people with cancer, their friends and families can find emotional, practical and social support.